Altman Easy Latch Install - Quit Slammin' Your Doors

Having played with old cars and trucks for most of my life (I built my first, a '48 Ford at 14 years old) and used a variation of the safety door latch assembly in the vast majority of them over the decades. And now that I'm finally turning my sights to my latest classic truck project I decided to go that route with this one as well. Only this time I'm going to utilize a complete, model-specific, latch and installation kit rather than a generic pair of latches and home-brewed attaching and actuating hardware.

2/32Finally, a safety door latch kit that's year/model specific. That's right, not only do you get safe and reliable door latches for your classic truck but all the needed hardware as well, thanks to the folks at Trique Manufacturing!

With the chassis for my '57 Chevy about buttoned up I recently turned my attention to the body-specifically the cab to start. A few weeks ago I received my first of many shipments of sheetmetal repair parts from LMC Truck and soon after that a safety door latch kit from Trique Manufacturing. But, it was Trique's door latch upgrade that I was excited to tackle first. What I really like about the Altman Easy Latch Kit is that it's a complete vehicle-specific bolt-on safety door latch kit for classics that allows you to retain your exterior door handles, interior door handles, and your exterior door lock cylinders. The kit comes with your choice of stainless steel or plain steel jam plates. Each kit comes with stainless steel striker bolts and everything you need to complete the installation. Detailed instructions with pictures, templates, and all necessary hardware including striker bolt plates or blocks. The kit doesn't include door handles or lock cylinders but those I sourced through LMC.

3/32The kit comes complete with your choice of stainless steel or plain steel jam plates, stainless steel striker bolts and everything else you need to complete the installation including detailed instructions with pictures, templates, and all necessary hardware including striker bolt plates or blocks. Trique offers kits for '37-56 Ford cars and trucks, and '47-59 Chevy trucks so far, and they're constantly adding new years and models to their inventory.

Anyway, if you're anything like me, and like the security and peace of mind afforded by safety latches over decades-old worn OE latch assemblies you may well want to follow along and see how quick and easy this upgrade is.